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Inner Journeys

with Anne Marie Bennett

Integrating the Practice of SoulCollage® into Your Daily Life

Journey Through the Chakras: Second Chakra

Last month was an especially busy month for me, so my intention to focus on the second chakra in October was distracted a bit. However, I did manage to read the Sacral Chakra chapter in The Sevenfold Journey by Anodea Judith and Selene Vega. I also meditated (when I was home) with orange candles on my altar and my SoulCollage card for this Animal Companion (Leopard) front and center between the candles.

My second chakra animal, Leopard, was one of the last of my Companions to make itself known to me. I closed my eyes one night before sleep and just asked for it to appear. Suddenly, there was a baby leopard in my mind's eye. Hmm... I thought. I wasn't expecting that! But I accepted it, hunted for some images that seemed right, made the card, did the card interpretation... and then that was that. I hadn't worked with Leopard or sought his advice since then.

I was fortunate to be assisting Seena Frost at the first East Coast SoulCollage Facilitator Training early last month, and while there participated in her "live" guided visualization/encounter with one of our Animal Companions. During this adventure, I actually got on Leopard's back (an adult leopard this time!) and rode with him for a long ways. Then we were in conversation and I was admiring his sleekness, his power, his grace, his swiftness.

When Seena suggested that we ask our animal what gifts it was bringing us, my beautiful Leopard said to me, "You have the same power and beauty, grace and sleek swiftness in you." I literally gasped when I "heard" this in my soul for I knew it as the truth, even though my rational, "logical" mind has been telling me I'm overweight... too heavy and clumsy to be so sleek and powerful. However, in the guided visualization, I experienced the Leopard's physical characteristics as my own, and am now working with Leopard specifically on my own journey towards getting back to my natural weight.

In my reading on the second chakra last month, I was drawn to meditate on this part of my body in terms of emotions, and pleasure. There are many other points of focus for this chakra, but last month I seemed to be in a place where my feelings and physical pleasure were key points for me. And Leopard was with me all the time, even on days when I was traveling and too exhausted to even think of meditating.

Reflection Activity of the Week: If you've already discovered your second chakra animal and made a card for him/her, spend some time in written or imaginal dialogue with it this week. If this particular Animal Companion hasn't made itself known to you yet, spend some time in meditation inviting it forth and watch what happens. Take a few moments to breathe into your sacral chakra area (below your belly button and into your pelvic area). What is this part of your body trying to tell you right now?

Soul Friends

The Voice of a Different Kindred Spirit Each Week

Cynthia Shaw
Nyack, New York

At this moment it is an hour before I have to pick up my kids at school and one day before the deadline for this article. Hummm.....maybe I should make myself a Procrastinator card!
I feel so nervous about sitting down to write this that I've decided to do a SoulCollage card reading to help get myself going (and to see what gremlins might be holding me back). I choose three cards I haven't interpreted yet..... Greeeeaaat..........well, let me just forge ahead anyway.

(Editor's Note: The cards she refers to here are shown below.) The first card is I am the One who is frozen and deadened inside...yup, writers block/fear. Second card...I am the One who carries a golden box of mysterious treasure deep underwater (but can I access it?). Third card...ahhhhh, now this is the me I need to bring forth...I am the One who is colorful, powerful and reaches and leaps fearlessly towards what is before me. Well, ok...from a frozen place... to holding some treasure..but deep underwater... to a powerful, colorful, leaping woman....All right, I am ready now..........

I first encountered SoulCollage two and a half years ago. I was at an artist's retreat and there was a woman...sitting quietly in her corner, making cards all day. I was intrigued. I was moved. I had to make some myself. I bought Seena's book as soon as I got home and started creating cards. I made about 5 or 6 cards and stopped cold. Most of the cards were pretty dark and sad except for one....my happy inner child. Well, I had to spend the next year excavating this child from deep within me and then I found myself back in the process.

During this journey I introduced SoulCollage to two dear friends and we began making cards together. Through this experience I have learned how essential and intrinsic Community is to the SoulCollage process. Making cards and interpreting them on my own is good but something about doing this process in the presence of others makes it all come alive for me. I imagine this has a lot to do with the positive mirroring I give and receive. To be fully seen and accepted by others is a precious, precious gift in life. SoulCollage opens the opportunity for us to be truly seen and accepted: firstly by ourselves and then to give and receive this gift of richness and soul with those we share this process with.

This October I had the opportunity to experience this group process (en mass with 60 other women!) when I participated in the SoulCollage facilitators training that was held in Maryland. This experience of community was powerful. We came together as strangers but left deeply knowing the people we had made and interpreted cards with. We didn't share many details about each others day to day lives but we got to know each others' souls. Who wants or needs small talk after this! I found the experience deeply gratifying.

Most of the cards I have made have been created intuitively. I love this mystical, magical experience of being drawn to certain images, feeling that there are ones that belong with each other and then gluing it all together. And then...Aha!...a piece of myself is there before me in concrete yet metaphoric form...honoring me and my presence on this Earth. A little Miracle!

Intentional cards have been fun to create too. Patiently waiting until the "right" images come to me is a lesson unto itself. I also enjoy picking up a magazine with only a vague idea of exactly what I am looking for and then "voila" there it is...exactly the image I need for that card! This whole process helps me to quiet my cynic and to trust more...trust myself and my process and to trust that somehow I am being led and supported by some form of benevolent energy.

My emergence as an artist has been long and slow, yet the longing has been inside me forever. SoulCollage adds a depth and richness to this inner process that I love. As a psychotherapist and someone who naturally loves to dig deep and analyze, it's a perfect addition to my life. I have gained so much from this artistic journey that I have incorporated intuitive collage work in my private psychotherapy practice and I am creating another small business with a SoulCollage friend and fellow facilitator which we've named R.I.V.A.. - Realizing Our Inner Vision through Art. We will be offering workshops, courses and retreats and look forward to our first SoulCollage workshop soon! Look for our website in the near future!

Ooops, I have four minutes to get to school and pick up those kids. Maybe we'll come home, sit at the dining room table and all do some SoulCollages together!

Here are the three SoulCollage cards that showed up in Cynthia's reading above:

Frozen
Suit: Committee

I am the One who:

-- is frozen and deadened inside

-- feels boxed in

-- is gray and colorless

Diver

Suit: Committee

I am the One who:

-- is diving deep

-- carrying a golden treasure box

-- is on the move

-- must move through the water and the rain to get where I am going

-- is path is right in front of me

-- supported by ancient wisdom

Dancer/Leaper
Suit: Committee

I am the One who:

--- stretches myself

--- reaches out for what is offered me

--- leaps over obstacles

--- is radiant, colorful and powerful

--- carries light and energy within me

--- pulsates with all that life has to offer

SoulCollage Expressions

Idea of the Week

I've heard Seena Frost say "You're never too old for Show & Tell." When was the last time you did a little "showing and telling" with your own SoulCollage cards? It works equally well with friends who already know what SoulCollage is, and with those who don't.

Kindred Spirits Member News

Making the Most of Your KaleidoSoul Membership

Keep track of all your Member Benefits on the
Kindred Spirits Home Page.

If you ever forget your password, please send a
reply email to this message.

2008 Soul Colors Desk Calendars

"Wow! It's like a little bit of therapy that fits in the palm of your hand," said one enthusiastic buyer when she picked up one of these nifty little calendars, created specifically for our KaleidoSoul readers.

Each month features a full-color, vibrant mixed media collage by Anne Marie Bennett, along with a quotation carefully chosen to lift your spirits and remind you of your own soul's true colors. The calendar is spiral bound this year, so it's easier to manage, and is printed on heavy, glossy cardstock, similar to (and the same size as) postcards.

On the back of each page are several Journaling Prompts as well as a few SoulCollage Suggestions, specially designed to help you bring the wisdom of the month's quotation into your daily life.

They make great gifts for people who don't practice SoulCollage too. Anyone who loves color and quotations and inner journeys will love this calendar.

For more information, and to read what previous Soul Colors buyers have said about their calendars, please visit this Members Only Page.

Note: These calendars are only $12 for Kindred Spirit Members, or $10 each if you buy more than one. Non-members are paying $15, so you save 20% as a Member.

Upcoming Tele-Playshops

December: Walking Toward Wisdom
with special guest Sharry Teague, SoulCollage Facilitator in Oregon

The Crone--who needs her? You do. Wherever your spot on the span (life span that is), the Crone has gifts to heap upon you. This tele-class can inspire you to connect with your Wise Woman within and learn how to avoid her darker aspects. She can be a bit wicked if not treated respectfully.

Date: Sunday December 2, 2007

Time: 7 p.m. EST

Save the date now. All of our tele-playshops are FR*EE for members, always! And remember, don't worry if you can't attend... we'll be recording them and you can listen to them anytime in your Member's Only Audio Library.

Upcoming SoulCollage Retreats

All Things Bright & Beautiful- April 10-13, 2008 in Essex, MA.
You asked for it, you got it! A three-night retreat focusing soul-ly on the SoulCollage Animal Companions Suit.

If you're longing to bring the wisdom of the Animals into your life in a creative, personal way within the safety of SoulCollage.... please join us!

There are only 9 spaces left, which means the Retreat is half full already. Wouldn't this be a perfect holiday gift for yourself and/or a friend?

Special for Members Only- you can pay in 5 smaller payments instead of all at once if you like. Also, your cost is $50 less than non-members are paying.

More details are on your Members Only Retreat Info Page .

Soul Nourishment

Resources to support your inner work
as you dive deeper into your beautiful soul

Books:

Succulent Wild Woman, by Sark. In this fun, vibrant, colorful book (handwritten, beautifully painted), Sark explores everything from sexuality, love and romance to fat, fears and recovery. Discover the keys to expressing yourself more freely. It's hugely discounted at All Books for Less, so you can afford to give one to all the wild women in your life this December!

Bad Girl Creek, by Jo-Ann Mapson. Phoebe can't afford the farmhouse and flower farm her beloved aunt Sadie left her, so she advertises for roommates. She selects three women in need of a fresh start. Drawing on their individual talents and newly discovered strengths the four women work together to save the farm and rebuild their lives. Bad Girl Creek is a testament to the healing power of friendship and the family we choose for ourselves. (Review by Kindred Spirit Lisa in NC)

Eat Pray Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert. This is a book that I will read again and again. Not just a travel book, although it does tell of the author's year of adventures inItaly,India andBali. It is a story of her personal journey, and a beautiful story of spiritual discoveries. Full of beautiful descriptions and practical wisdom, it made me see my own journey in a whole new light.

A Grateful Heart, edited by M Ryan. Daily blessings for the evening meal, from Buddha to the Beatles. I've never seen a book of meal blessings like this one, but I love it dearly and have used mine well.

Websites:

Goddess Myths- The Goddess in world mythology. Paintings by Sandra M. Stanton

Zentangle- Zentangle is an easy to learn, relaxing method of creating beautiful images from repetitive patterns. It increases focus and creativity. Zentangle provides artistic satisfaction and an increased sense of personal well being. Zentangle is enjoyed by a wide range of skills and ages and is used in many fields of interest. Zentangle is a perfect metaphor for deliberate artistry in life. Their slogan is "you can do anything, one stroke at a time."

Daughters of the Greening- Beautiful site on nature and women's spirituality. Click on "totems" on the left for some more information on animal totems.

Kobe Dolls- All kinds of dolls here, what fun! Most are handmade, and used for healing and personal growth.

More Resources

Ongoing resources that our Kindred Spirit Members find helpful

Inner Surprises Blog: Anne Marie's blog full of an intimate glimpse into her SoulCollage Deck. There also are bimonthly SoulCollage Challenges posted here. You can read past Challenges by clicking on "SoulCollage Challenges" in the right column.

Soul Songs, Your Fr*ee Monthly SoulCollage Newsletter: The November issue is all about Gratitude. You can also read all back issues at the link above. The topics are listed with each issue, so this is a guaranteed excellent resource for you as well!

KaleidoSoul Community Yahoo Group: This is a safe place where you can post your cards (if you want), ask your questions, and virtually "meet" other Kindred Spirits

Final Treasures

Soul Treasures is brought to you by KaleidoSoul,
Spinning the fragments of your world into wholeness and beauty
through SoulCollage.

^{SoulCollage®} cards are made either from one's own art or from images found in materials which have been bought by or given to the SoulCollage card maker.
These collaged cards are used only for the cardmaker's own inner exploration. SoulCollage cards are not sold, traded, bartered, or copied (except as a back-up for the cardmaker's own use) as is stated in the Principles of SoulCollage^®.
Where SoulCollage cards are available to be seen by others,
it is for the purposes either of demonstrating the SoulCollage process
or of sharing the cardmakers' inner process in the context of community.
SoulCollage^® is grateful to the artists and photographers
who make this deep awakening process possible
and in all ways SoulCollage^® seeks to be respectful of their rights.

Published by KaleidoSoul.com
and Anne Marie Bennett.
Please do not reproduce or forward this newsletter in any way.
Inner Journeys, copyright 2007, by Anne Marie Bennett.
All rights reserved.

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